Cedric the Entertainer, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Don Cheadle

Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle portrays the one and only Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene Jr.; Petey’s story is funny, dramatic, inspiring – and real. In the mid-to-late 1960s, in Washington, D.C., vibra...( read more  read more... )nt soul music and exploding social consciousness were combining to unique and powerful effect. It was the place and time for Petey to fully express himself – sometimes to outrageous effect – and “tell it like it is.” With the support of his irrepressible and tempestuous girlfriend Vernell (Taraji P. Henson), the newly minted ex-con talks his way into an on-air radio gig. He forges a friendship and a partnership with fellow prison inmate Milo’s (Mike Epps) brother Dewey Hughes (double Golden Globe Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor). From the first wild morning on the air, Petey relies on the more straight-laced Dewey to run interference at WOL-AM, where Dewey is the program director. At the station, Petey becomes an iconic radio personality, surpassing even the established popularity of his fellow disc jockeys, Nighthawk (Cedric The Entertainer) and Sunny Jim (Vondie Curtis Hall). Combining biting humor with social commentary, Petey openly courts controversy for station owner E.G. Sonderling (Emmy Award winner Martin Sheen). Petey was determined to make not just himself but his community heard during an exciting and turbulent period in American history. As Petey’s voice, humor, and spirit surge across the airwaves with the vitality of the era, listeners tune in to hear not only incredible music but also a man speaking directly to them about race and power in America like few people ever have. Through the years, Petey’s “The truth just is” style --- on – and off-air – would redefine both Petey and Dewey, and empower each to become the man he would most like to be.

Flixster Users

77% liked it

37,924 ratings

Critics

81% liked it

119 critics

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Kasi Lemmons

Release Date: July 27, 2007

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DVD Release Date: October 30, 2007

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Stats: 2,460 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,460)


  • January 8, 2009
    Along with Don Cheadle, there are many good performances in Talk to Me, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taraji P. Henson (who could be hilarious), Cedric the Entertainer and Vondie Curtis Hall. Martin Sheen could have phoned in his part as the one-dimensional "irate then calm" boss. ...( read more)

    Greene's story is an affecting one in that he was another person who rose from a criminal youth to prison, but had a talent with words on the air. Many people are afraid of the microphone, but not Petey. Unfortunately, out of that element, Petey fell as fast as he rose. Very entertaining not-too-heavy drama with a solid soundtrack.
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  • June 19, 2008
    I thought this was a really good movie and very funny, yet important and clever.
  • December 23, 2007
    this was a great movie. the story of petey green is portrayed with raw realism and the best part of this film was the performances of every member of the cast. an incredible ensemble led by don cheadle with easily one of the two or three best performances of 2007. im shocked c...( read more)headle isnt getting more hype for this role, he was masterful. good flick.
  • November 2, 2007
    Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda) adds another superb performance to his impressive resume as real-life ex-con Petey Greene, who became a hugely popular DJ and talk-show host at radio station WOL in Washington, DC in the seventies. Chiwetel Ejiofor (Kinky Boots) is also excellent as Dew...( read more)ey Hughes, the man who at first refuses to hire Greene, but eventually sees his potential, and ends up as his good friend and manager. The scene where Dewey first gets Petey on the air is one for the books, and if it's true, you have to give the guy credit for having a lot of balls. After an initial bout of stage fright, Petey takes the balls and runs with them (haha), eventually becoming the station's most popular DJ, and an influential talk-show host to boot. With Dewey as the driving force, Petey ends up doing stand-up comedy, hosting his own TV show, and even getting invited to be a guest on The Tonight Show. That's where things come to a head and the partnership comes to a messy dissolution. The film is a nice mix of comedy and drama, and Taraji P. Henson (Smokin' Aces) gives a knockout comedic performance as Petey's sexy girlfriend Vernell Watson. She is hot as a firecracker! In contrast, the scene where Petey goes on the air to try to quell the riots after Martin Luther King's assassination is Cheadle at his powerful and emotional best. The film is directed by Kasi Lemmons (The Caveman's Valentine), and she's certainly come a long way since we saw her as Jodie Foster's fellow FBI trainee in The Silence of the Lambs. She and her production design team, with the assistance of a killer soundtrack, do an excellent job of recreating the '70s in all their bell-bottomed glory. Trust me, I was there.
  • September 3, 2007
    Don Cheadle gave an Oscar worthy performance in this true story. Chiwetel Ejofor also did an amazing piece of work. This film is both hilarious and poignant.
  • November 6, 2009
    Don Cheadle has to be the most underestimated actors in todays Hollywood. This performance is no exception and I was surprised he was not nominated for it. He is brilliant as this fast talking true story of a DJ that comes from nowhere. It is an awesome performance like none of C...( read more)headles others. Unreal storyline as well and one that you don't hear about too much. Fast moving and very interesting with some great and funny lines by Cheadle. Good performances by Chiwetel Ejiofor as well and Martin Sheen. What a great life Petey Greene represented and a great acting in this little known movie!
  • August 30, 2009
    Talk to me was one of he most entertaining movies. Don Cheadle is a Genious!!!
  • August 28, 2009
    enjoy real-life events of inspiration... funny... Don Cheadle was fantastic & brought calm to a very turmoil situation...
  • August 14, 2009
    One of Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor's best performance.
  • August 7, 2009
    A good brother with a real good woman!

Critic Reviews


September 1, 2007
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Speaks powerfully to audiences with its potent blend of extraordinary performances and engaging soundtrack. full review

July 27, 2007
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

The problem is, the last section of the movie doesn't follow the career path of Greene: It traces the blander character of Hughes. full review

July 20, 2007
Kyle Smith, New York Post

The movie also presents '60s turbulence from a black point of view, which is not only bracing but also feels closer to the point of it all. full review

July 13, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie begins with a whirlpool of comedy and manic energy, and then grows, as it must, more serious and introspective. full review

July 13, 2007
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

...a movie that perfectly captures the vibe of a person, a place, a time and a way of being, and even gets, indirectly and without a whiff of sanctimoniousness, to the heart of what being an American ... full review

July 13, 2007
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

Don Cheadle practically bounces off the screen with a high energy, hilarious, and heartrending performance where every unexpected word keeps his audience--and that includes us--spellbound. full review

July 13, 2007
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Talk to Me offers uplift without phoniness, history without undue didacticism and a fair number of funny, dirty jokes.

July 12, 2007
Armond White, The New York Press

'Every stereotype has truth,' says Don Cheadle as Petey Greene. That fallacy ruins Talk to Me. full review

July 11, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim

A vibrant, funny, moving, highly entertaining and richly rewarding movie experience. Don Cheadle soars into the highest rank of film actors with this role. Ejiofor and Henson are magnificent. full review

View more Talk to Me reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • rayman0071
    August 9, 2007
    If Don Cheadle doesn't get the Oscar Best Actor here for his breathtaking performance here, then in all aspects Hollywood has a goddamn problem.
  • sweetymimmo
    July 15, 2007
    hy iam mireille from lebanon

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Talk to Me Trivia


  • In "Breakfast on Pluto", Brendan Gleeson's character said "-Don't talk to me about f*&%in- what?  Answer »
  • What was Maverick's first line in Top Gun?  Answer »
  • In "The School of Rock," finish the quote, "Don't talk to me about style, you can't even dress yourself. Look at that ________."  Answer »
  • In what movie would you find this quote? "Dancing is just a conversation between two people. Talk to me."  Answer »

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